Famous Composers of the Baroque Period

1. Johann Sebastian Bach

Born: Germany March 21, 1685
Died: July 28, 1750

J.S. Bach came from a family of

musicians. He was taught to play violin by his
father who was then the town musician in
Eisanach. He entered school at age 7 where
he was taught religion and other subjects. He
became orphaned at age ten. His brother, a
church organist provided for him. Bach’s
beautiful soprano singing voice helped him to
be accepted at a school in Luӥeberg. A few
years later, his voice changed and Bach focused his attention to playing the
violin and harpsichord.

Bach was a religious man. His personal and deep faith is shown in his sacred
music. He was known for his compositions for organ, orchestra, and oratorio.
His most important and long – term position was as ―cantor at St. Thomas
Church.

His works include:

 Concerto Grosso
e.g. Brandenburg Concertos http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=uw2dlZ8V4-0
 Masses
e.g. Mass in B minor
 Cantatas
e.g. Cantata 208 and 211
 Fugues
e.g. Fugue in G minor http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=p1XD1MSES_8
 Toccata and Fugue in D minor
 Works for clavichord and harpsichord
 e.g. Well-Tempered Clavier (one of his more well- known keyboard
improvisations)
 This link is another version of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor
played on glass harp (musical glass) http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=XKRj-T4l-e8

2. Antonio Vivaldi
Venice March 4, 1678 to
Vienna July 28, 1741

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi Antonio Lucio Vivaldi ,

nicknamed il Prete Rosso ("The Red Priest")
because of his red hair, was an Italian
Baroque composer, Catholic priest and a
virtuoso violinist. Recognized as one of the
greatest Baroque composers, his influence
during his lifetime was widespread over
Europe.
Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, especially for
the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over forty operas. He entered
the priesthood and was ordained in 1703. Vivaldi is well known for giving the
strings a major role in his compositions.

His most famous piece is The Four Seasons. This composition is a

series of four violin concerti depicting each of the seasons,
―Spring, Summer, Autumn, and ―Winter.

Do This! Listen to the link below that

features “Spring” (one of the four parts of
The Four Seasons)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=aFHPRi0ZeXE
 3. George Friedrich Händel
Germany, February 23, 1685 to
London, April 14, 1759

George Händel was the second son from the second marriage of
a pastor. Despite his father’s opposition, George secretly taught
himself to play the harpsichord. At age 7, he gained access to a church
organ and started to play. A Duke heard him play and insisted on
giving him a formal music education. Under Zachau, organist of Halle
cathedral, he studied counterpoint, canon and fugue.

Händel is remembered for his operas and oratorios. Handel became

England’s favorite composer. He had given English audiences music that in
variety and interest rivalled anything they could remember. Handel lost both
of his eyesight in 1753. When he conducted his oratorio, ―Samson, a few in
the audience were unaware that he had lost his eyesight. The Messiah is
Hӓndel’s most famous creation and the very well known ―Hallelujah chorus
is part of Hӓndel’s Messiah.
The Messiah was written in the space of twenty – four days in London
but it was in Dublin when The Messiah was first performed and became an
instant success.

Do This! Listen and watch the following link that features the “Hallelujah”
chorus from Händel’s Messiah http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=IUZEtVbJT5c